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Rated 4.6/5 from 47,615 reviews

Best cheap cars 2023

You want a cheap car, right? But cheap cars should be cheerful too – a low price doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Our best cheap cars have low retail prices and affordable monthly costs but have scored highly during testing by our experienced reviews team.

Dacia Jogger

1. Dacia Jogger

9/10
Dacia Jogger review
You don’t have to settle for a dinky city car if you want a cheap car. The Dacia Jogger offers ridiculous value when you consider that it's a seven-seat SUV/estate combo that's priced to compete with city cars. It feels a bit cheap inside but it's good to drive and has so much space that it's easy to forgive some scratchy plastics. There’s also now a fuel-sipping hybrid model, offering rock-bottom running costs.
Hyundai i10

2. Hyundai i10

9/10
Hyundai i10 review
The Hyundai i10 is a great little car, and the fact that it is not too expensive is the icing on the cake. It comes with a good level of tech, and even the cheapest cars have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The entry-level 67hp engine is sluggish, too, so you won’t be going anywhere in a hurry. Still, safety equipment is good – you get features such as cruise control and autonomous emergency braking even in the cheapest cars.
Peugeot 208

3. Peugeot 208

9/10
Peugeot 208 review
Just because it's a cheap small car, doesn't mean the Peugeot 208 feels like it. On the outside there's super-chic styling, while the interior feels decently premium. It's a bit tight in the back for adults and the infotainment isn't great, but on the plus side the electric version is cheap to run with plenty of range.
Dacia Sandero

4. Dacia Sandero

9/10
Dacia Sandero review
There was once a time when the Dacia Sandero ruled the world of cheap cars, but over the years its price has slowly increased to reflect improved fit and finish and the removal of the proper budget specification. It's still an excellent deal, though, being another small car with big car space. The boot has an annoyingly massive lip to lift things over, but it's practical enough inside to carry tall adults without them feeling cramped.
Volkswagen Polo

5. Volkswagen Polo

8/10
Volkswagen Polo review
The Volkswagen Polo might be overshadowed by the Golf, which is generally the answer to whatever car needs you have, but it's a fantastic thing in its own right. It feels bigger and more upmarket than most other small cars and is comfortable on long trips. The trade off is that it's not the most fun on a country road.

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Skoda Scala

6. Skoda Scala

8/10
Skoda Scala review
The Skoda Scala does what Skoda does best – offering you a car that’s cheaper to buy and has more space inside than any of its direct alternatives. Passenger space is good, there are loads of storage areas scattered around the cabin and the Scala has a large, square boot. It even feels well built and has an infotainment system that is logical to use. The Scala isn’t a barrel of laughs to drive, but it is comfortable enough.
Renault Captur

7. Renault Captur

6/10
Renault Captur review
Battery range up to 28 miles
While most of the cars in this list are small cars, the Renault Captur stands out as a small SUV. Despite its low price, you get the high driving position of an SUV and the popular chunky styling, plus excellent space and practicality. It's not that comfy around town and the infotainment is annoying to use, though.
Citroen C3 Aircross

8. Citroen C3

8/10
Citroen C3 Aircross review
Another affordable SUV is the Citroen C3 Aircross. It's not quite as practical as the Captur, but then it's arguably a much better looking car. It's also really comfortable to drive with smooth and refined engine options. If you want to ride around in style and comfort, it's a great affordable choice.
SEAT Ibiza

9. SEAT Ibiza

8/10
SEAT Ibiza review
Ok, so some of the interior materials in the SEAT Ibiza feel a bit scratchy – they are not up to the standard you’d see in other Volkswagen group cars. But you do get a decent amount of space and the Ibiza has a big boot, too. The entry-level model also gets desirable features such as a touchscreen display and s
Suzuki Ignis

10. Suzuki Ignis

7/10
Suzuki Ignis review
Cars don’t come much smaller than the Suzuki Ignis. You could almost fit it in your pocket. It looks like a full-size SUV that’s shrunk in the wash but drives more like a roller skate; the Ignis is great fun, but not exactly smooth-riding or quiet. But you don’t buy the Ignis for long motorway drives. It’s a hoot to thread through city streets or to hustle along a favourite B-road. There’s even a 4x4 version which is great if you want four-wheel drive on a budget.

Cheapest cars on sale 2023

You want a new car for used car money? Here are the absolute cheapest cars you can buy through carwow thanks to our discounts. These really are the cheapest (though not always the best)…

Citroen Ami

1. Citroen Ami

5/10
Citroen Ami review
Battery range up to 47 miles
The Citroen Ami isn't technically a car, but it's too much fun to not include on this list. It's left-hand drive and has the refinement of a brick, while the 28mph top speed means it's not one for road tripping. But its quirky looks will turn heads wherever you go, and if you just need a fun electric runaround for the city, it's the perfect way to indulge your inner child.
Kia Picanto

2. Kia Picanto

7/10
Kia Picanto review
The Kia Picanto costs nearly twice as much as an Ami, but then this is actually a car, so it feels somewhat justified. It's also cheaper than anything else you can buy on the new car market despite being stylish and easy to drive in town.
MG MG 3

3. MG3

4/10
MG MG 3 review
MG has been making waves with its affordable electric vehicles, the MG4 and MG ZS EV. But the MG3 was offering budget motoring long before those cars arrived on the scene. It has sporty looks, a decent equipment list and is reasonably spacious, but it's not the most pleasant thing to drive.
Dacia Sandero

4. Dacia Sandero

9/10
Dacia Sandero review
It might not be the cheapest car on sale anymore, but it's still pretty close. It feels cheap inside and isn't the most fun to drive, but it's comfortable and more spacious than you'd expect for a small car.
Citroen C3

5. Citroen C3

7/10
Citroen C3 review
The Citroen C3 is further proof that you don't need to sacrifice quality and style to get a cheap car. The C3 is comfortable to drive and looks good inside and out. It suffers from a poor infotainment system and average rear seat space, but it's an excellent value offer.

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Cheap cars FAQs

The smaller the car, the less you’ll need to spend on both fuel and road tax. A smaller car is lighter and therefore more frugal on fuel. The Hyundai i10 or Peugeot 208 have efficient engines and return impressive fuel usage figures. Despite their size, they’re incredibly practical and would tick the boxes for most people’s day-to-day needs. They’re also a lot better for the environment. So not only can you feel better about the car you’re driving, but you won’t need to pay as much in road tax.

Cars that are cheap to insure are simply some of the safest available, and most economical to repair. Cheap and slow is the way to go. Every car down to each specific engine option is categorised into a group - taking performance and the cost of repair into account. These insurance groups range from 1 to 50. If you’re on a budget, try to get a car with a low insurance group number - the Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo have a few models in group 1.

Through carwow, obviously… but you can save even more. Every model of car has options, packages and different engines to choose from. To save money on a new car just think carefully about what you need and avoid the temptation to go for the top spec. Through our website you can find easy to understand descriptions of these options to help you pick what’s best for you.

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